Signal Peak Campus student Sean Kolder named Coca-Cola Gold Scholar

By Guy Harrison, Media & Marketing Specialist

PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. - Sean Kolder (Casa Grande/Casa Verde HS), a student at Central Arizona College's Signal Peak Campus, has been named a 2014 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Gold Scholar receives a $1,500 scholarship and a special medallion. The announcement comes on the heels of Kolder's selection to the All-Arizona Academic First Team last month.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and recognizes Coca-Cola Academic Team scholars during All-State Community College Academic Team Recognition ceremonies held in 38 states. Student scholars also receive recognition locally during ceremonies held on campus and internationally for those who are unable to attend Phi Theta Kappa's Annual Convention.

Community college presidents or their designated nominators may submit two nominations per campus for this award. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

Kolder, a Casa Grande native, holds a 3.77 grade point average while pursuing an associate degree in business. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, Kolder was one of three students selected to represent Central Arizona College during the Student Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. last year. He plans to transfer to Arizona State University before eventually entering a career in law enforcement with the long-term goal of one day becoming Pinal County Sheriff.

"We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for their vote of confidence in community college students by investing in their futures," said Dr. Rod Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa. "Their support is especially welcome during this challenging economic climate, as more and more community college students need additional resources to help them complete their degrees."

"The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges," said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals."

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Miss., is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,285 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.